How Do Electric Car Charging Stations Work?

Chevy EV on Highway

One of the benefits that come with EVs is an at-home charging station to help lower the cost of charging your vehicle. Below, we’ll go over electric car charging station costs and how electric car charging stations work. We highly recommend installing a charging station in your home, and there are plenty of ways to charge your EV.

Electric Car Charging Station Types

How do electric car charging stations work and what are your options? There are three levels of charging associated with EVs:

  • Level 1 Charging: Many at-home charging stations are Level 1 Charging stations. Charging your vehicle is slow and steady with this method, and Wichita drivers should expect their vehicles to take over 24 hours to fully charge. Many drivers think this is a bad thing on paper, but it’s not a great idea to use quick charging options all of the time. Doing so can lower the lifespan of your EV’s battery.
  • Level 2 Charging: Many public charging stations are Level 2 Charging stations. You can expect a full charge overnight with this method, and drivers can experience anywhere between 60 to 120 miles of charge after 45 minutes of charging time. It’s a good in-between of slow and fast charging.
  • Level 3 DC Fast Charging: This kind of charging is very, very quick in comparison to the above levels. You’ll get 200-300 miles of charge in a 30-45 minute period. You can find many of these stations when out on the road, and they’re great for road trips or longer trips. You can take a break, get a meal, use the bathroom, and come back to a significantly charged vehicle. We don’t recommend using this method all of the time though, as doing so can have a negative impact on your battery’s life.

Electric Car Charging Port Differences

How do electric car charging stations work when it comes to ports? Ports differ based on your model and charging station. Level 2 or 3 charging can also play a factor.

Level 2 car chargers are all the same if your EV was made after the model year 2000. They have J1772 charging ports. Level 3 chargers differ. Teslas have their own unique charging ports and require a proprietary Tesla charger. Non-Tesla vehicles have either the CCS (combined charging system, also known as SAE Combo or just Combo) or CHAdeMO plug. Most Level 3 chargers accommodate the two common options.

Electric Car Charging Stations Costs

EVs have the incredible perk of not needing gas or oil changes, and you’ll generally have less money spent on maintenance costs over time. It’s also generally cheaper to charge at home compared to out on the road. So if you’re a person that generally drives around the Maize or Park City areas, you can save a good chunk of change over time by primarily charging at home.

Some stations are free with certain models, but these are usually only limited-time opportunities and not for the life of a given vehicle. Your make will most likely have an app that will direct you to preferred charging stations for these kinds of opportunities after buying your EV.

Being out and about will typically cost between $15 to $25 dollars to charge the average car fully on Level 2 charging. Level 3 charging costs range from $30 to $45 on average for a full charge. Factors like peak traffic times on a given day will see increased prices similar to gas. It’s for reasons like these that automakers generally recommend at-home charging stations. You’ll also benefit from a happy battery when you use Level 1 Charging more normally compared to Level 3 or even Level 2 (which remains a happy medium).

Do Electric Cars Have Good Range?

EVs have been criticized in the past for lack of driving range, in part due to the lack of stations and in part to the technological limits of EVs. EVs are being pushed now more than ever though, and EV range is constantly being improved as the years go by. Charging station availability can still vary based on where you live, but it’s easy to find stations in your area when considering an EV option. We only expect to see more and more stations added as automakers continue to improve EVs.

Explore Your EV Options at Don Hattan Dealerships Today

EVs are great cars that are being improved each day, and how electric car charging stations work is pretty intuitive once you learn the basics. Electric car charging station costs are also mitigated with an at-home charging station for a happy battery and for a happy wallet. If you’re on the fence about EVs, consider your EV vs. hybrid options today!

 

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